Apparatus for inserting and removing working roll sets from a 4-high mill



May 27, 1969 o. P. BALLINTINE, JR. 3,446,051

APPARATUS FOR ING WORKING -HIGH MILL INSERTING AND REMOV ROLL 'SETS FROM A 4 Sheet Filed April 18, 1967 Nmvm INVENTOR.

May 27, 1969 o. P. BALLINTINE, JR ,4 5

APPARATUS FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING WORKING ROLL SETS FROM A 4-HIGH MILL Filed April 18, 1967 Sheet 2 01*4 kg i Q- l N L o 0 no 9 h ,9 g Q 8 LL INVENTOR. OSCAR P. BALLINTINE JR.

ATTORNEYS.

3,446,051 ING May 27, 1969 o. P. BALLINTINE, JR

APPARATUS FOR INSEHTING AND. REMOVING WORK ROLL SETS FROM A 4-HIGH MILL Sheet Filed April 18, 1967 4 INVENTR. OSCAR F? BALLINTINE JR.

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ya ATT RNEY? May 27 1969.

o. P. BALLINTINE, JR 3,446,051 APPARATUS FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING WORKING ROLL SETS FROM A 4-HIGH MILL Filed April 18, 1967 Sheet 4 of 4 FIG. 7 204 208 I74 208 use l8 0 0 m' b 'H' 1 0 o o 20: 206 I72 2:0

202 74 2|O 0|II 0 O O O O O O I m All 204 206208 0 o I88 I89 0 2a r]; IHI F IGS 1 lll'l 32 a2 4 a4 INVENTOR. OSCAR P. BALLINTINE JR.

ATTORNEYS.

3,446,051 APPARATUS FOR INSERTING AND REMOVING WORKING ROLL SETS FROM A 4-HIGH MILL Oscar P. Ballintine, Jr., Columbiana, Ohio, assignor to E. W. Bliss Company, Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 631,643 Int. Cl. B21b 31/08, 35/02 US. Cl. 72-239 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for inserting and removing Working roll sets from a 4-high mill having the normal back-up rolls driven by laterally extending drive shafts connected to motors spaced from the mill. The apparatus includes two concurrently movable shuttle assemblies positioned intermediate the drive shafts and each having cantilever tines for receiving a roll set and moving the set through the side window of the 4-high mill from the drive side of the mill.

This invention pertains to the art of rolling mills of the type used in working metal strip and more particularly to an apparatus for inserting and removing the working roll sets from a 4-high mill.

The invention is particularly applicable for use on a 4-high, multiple stand mill, and it will be described with particular reference thereto; however, it should be appreciated that the invention has broader application and may be used in a variety of multiple and single stand rolling mill installations of the 3-high or cluster variety.

In the production of sheet metal it is relatively common practice to pass the metal through a rolling mill having a plurality of spaced roll stands. These stands often include a pair of spaced back-up rolls and a pair of working rolls, one of which is positioned between each of the back-up rolls and the strip being worked. The working rolls are inserted, as a set, through openings known as windows. One side of each mill stand includes a plurality of driving spindles or shafts operatively connected with the back-up rolls for rotating both the backup rolls and the working rolls during the milling operation. This side of the mill is designated as the drive side. The other side of the mill stand is known as the operator side.

During the milling operation the working rolls often become worn which requires their replacement, The working rolls'are generally provided in sets properly machined and crowned, if necessary, and assembled together in a chock or bearing block arrangement which allows vertical movement of the working rolls with respect to each other. These roll sets were previously changed from the operator side of the mill by pulling the roll sets through the windows on the operator side of the mill. Thereafter, the roll sets was removed by an overhead crane. The revenue operation was used to insert new working rolls into the mill stand. This procedure had certain disadvantages. A suflicient amount of floor space was required on the operator side of the mill. Also, an overhead crane arrangement was required on this side of the mill. This substantially increased the overall floor space required for the mill with the resultant expenses. In the past, it has been impossible to insert the working roll sets from the drive side of a mill stand because the drive spindles were directly above and below the access window of the stand. An overhead crane could, therefore, not be used to lift the working roll set from the drive side of the stand.

These disadvantages of prior arrangements for inserting and removing working roll sets from a mill stand have nited States Patent been overcome by the present invention which is directed toward an apparatus which allows insertion and removal of these sets from the drive side of the mill stand.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for inserting and removing working roll sets from the drive side of a 4-high mill having a horizontal pass line for strip passing through the mill, vertically spaced spindles for driving the back-up rolls from the drive side of the mill, and an access window on the drive side and generally between the spindles. This apparatus comprises a carriage having a shuttle assembly carried thereon; means for supporting a working roll set on the spindle assembly; a frame on the drive side for supporting the carriage; guide means on the frame to allow movement of the carriage in a direction parallel to the pass line between a first position with the shuttle assembly spaced horizontally from the window and spindles and a second position with the shuttle assembly generally aligned with the window and between the spindles; means for selectively moving the shuttle assembly between the first and second positions; and means for moving the shuttle assembly transversely of the pass line and into and out of the window when the shuttle assembly is in the second position whereby a working roll set may be inserted or removed from between the backup rolls.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for inserting and removing a working roll set from between the back-up rolls of a rolling mill stand which apparatus allows insertion and removal from the drive side of the stand.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus for inserting and removing a working roll set from between the back-up rolls of a rolling mill stand which apparatus is adapted for use on existing mills without substantial structural modification.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the work roll inserting and removing apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing its relationship with a conventional 4-high rolling mill;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the drive mechanism used to raise and lower the work roll inserting and removing apparatus; and,

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 1.

vided with means to permit them to be driven longiwhich is provided with means for shifting the carriage vertically as well as moving it in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the rolls of rolling mill A.

Although rolling mill A could be of a variety of types, it is shown as a conventional 4-high rolling mill including upper and lower back-up rolls and 12 respectively mounted in bearings or chocks 14 and 16. The chocks are supported in the usual frame 17 (not shown in FIGURE 1) provided with access windows or openings 19 which permit access to the space between the back-up rolls. Back-up rolls 10 and 12 are each separately driven through laterally extending spindles or drive shafts 18 and 20 respectively, which are connected with drive motors not shown. Positioned between the back-up rolls is a relatively conventional work roll set indicated generally by the numeral 21. Work roll set 21 comprises an upper work roll 22 and a lower work roll 24 mounted in chocks or hearing blocks 26. As best shown in FIGURE 8, each of the bearing blocks 26 include a first portion 28 which carries the upper work roll and is mounted for vertical movement relative a second portion 30 which carries the lower work roll. This arrangement is conventional and permits variation in the spacing of the back-up rolls to vary the effective spacing of the work rolls.

As previously mentioned, because of wear, or the desire to use a work roll set having rolls of a slightly different size, the sets must often be removed from the mill and replaced by a new set. As previously discussed, prior to the present invention it had been the practice to remove these sets through the window 19 provided on the right or operators side of the mill frame 17. This removal was accomplished *by withdrawing the work roll set through the window and connecting it with an overhead crane so that it could be removed from the mill area and a new set brought in. Because of the location of the mill drive shaft it was not possible to remove the work roll sets from the drive side of the mill, since an overhead crane could not be brought into position because of interference by the upper drive shaft. The present invention overcomes these problems and permits the work rolls to be removed from the drive side of the mill. As has been previously mentioned, this reduces the space required on the operator side of the mill and utilizes previously unusable space on the drive side.

In order to permit engagement and removal of the work roll sets by the work roll changing assembly, each of the work roll chocks 26 are provided with a pair of openings 32 which extend inwardly from the bottom wall of the chocks transversely thereacross (see FIGURE 8). These openings are arranged to receive elongated bars or tines 34 carried by each of the shuttle assemblies 2. When it is desired to change work roll sets, the changing assembly B is positioned so that the tines 34 of one of the shuttle assemblies 2 are aligned with the openings in chocks 26. This shuttle assembly is then reciprocated toward the rolling mill, with the bars 34 passing through the openings 32 in the manner shown in FIGURE 1. When the right hand end of the bars have completely passed through the rightmost chock, means are provided to lock the bars in position.

Although a variety of locking means, either manual or automatic, could be utilized, according to the preferred embodiment, these means comprise spring latch mechanisms carried at the ends of the bars 34. As shown in FIG- URES 4 and 5, each latch mechanism includes a latch pin 38 carried in a machined slot formed in the end of each of the bars 34. Vertically extending bar members 40 are welded to the ends of bars 34 to provide a closed guideway for the pins 38. A spring pin 44 is mounted in latch pins 38 and functions to bias the pins upwardly. Upward movement of the latch pin is limited by a rod 46 which extends horizontally between bars 42 and engages an outwardly extending plate 48 joined to the side of the latch pin. In order to permit the latch pins to be moved to their lowered position a T-shaped handle 50 is pivotally connected to plate 48. This handle is arranged so that when it is pulled downwardly and the T portion placed under the lower ends of bars 42 the latch pin 38 will be retained in its lowered position. Consequently, after bars 34 have been passed through openings 32 in chocks 26, release of the latch pins to their upper or biased position allows movement of the shuttle and bars to the left to withdraw the work roll set.

Normally, after the work roll set has been removed and withdrawn to a rearward location on the carriage 4, carriage 4 is moved horizontally in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the rolls of the mill. This moves the work roll set from under upper drive shaft 18 and permits an overhead crane or other lift mechanism to be used to lift the work roll set from the bars. At this time a new work roll set can be positioned on the bars and the carriage moved to realign the same shuttle with the Window opening for insertion of the new work roll set. However, preferably a new work roll set has been positioned on the bars carried by the other shuttle assembly prior to the removal operation. Consequently, when the first shuttle assembly has removed the worn work rolls, and the carriage shifted to remove it from a position underneath drive shaft 18, the second shuttle assembly with the new work roll set carried thereon will be in a position to insert the new work roll set simply by being reciprocated toward the mill and through the window.

Both shuttle assemblies 2 are of substantially identical construction. As best shown in FIGURES 1-3, each comprises an elongated shuttle or sled 60 including a generally U-shaped frame 62. Downwardly extending leg portions 64 and 66 and connected to the left end of frame 62 and provided with rollers 68 and 70, respectively. These rollers are arranged in tracks or guideways 72 and 73 formed in carriage 4. As shown, the tracks or guideways are arranged so that they can resist either upward or downward forces exerted by the shuttle. Additionally, each of the shuttles is arranged to ride on a roller or support wheel 74 mounted at the right hand end of carriage 4. Rollers 74 have a generally V-shaped periphery positioned so as to be received in V grooves formed on the underside of the innermost portion of each frame 62 (as viewed in FIGURE 3) and the corresponding bar 34. This arrangement permits the shuttles to be freely reciprocated longitudinally of the carriage.

Referring to FIGURES 1-3, it is seen that carriage 4 comprises an elongated cast or weldment type frame having a bottom wall 92 and a pair of vertically extending side walls 93. The carriage is provided with means to selectively drive the shuttle assemblies 2 longitudinally thereof. These drive means could be of many types such as lead screws or directly connected hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. Preferably the drive means are as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. As shown, the drive means include opposed rack gears 94 and 96 connected respectively to the bottom wall 92 of the frame 90 and the underside of shuttles 60. A pinion gear 98 is positioned between each opposed pair of rack gears 94 and 96 and in engagement therewith. As is apparent, movement of the pinions 98 in a direction longitudinally of the rack gears causes the shuttle to be moved in the same direction as the pinion but a distance twice as great as the horizontal movement of the pinion.

The means for selectively driving the pinions longitudinally of the frame include hydraulic cylinders 100 which are fixed to the left hand end of the carriage 4 as viewed in FIGURE 1. The rightwardly extending piston rods 102 of each cylinder 100 are connected through a clevis or bracket 104 with a respective pinion 98. Consequently, actuation of one of the hydraulic cylinders from a fluid source not shown, causes selective reciprocation of its respective pinion 98.

In order to allow carriage 4 to be moved horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the rolls of rolling mill, it is slidingly mounted on a pair of horizontally extending bars 106 and 108 carried by support frame 6. As shown in FIGURE 3, a pair of dependent legs 110 extend downwardly from frame 90 into engagement with bar 106. Each of legs 110 are provided with a semi-cylindrical end opening having a bearing 112 carried therein. End caps 114 are attached to the lower ends of legs 110 by screws 116.

The right hand end of carriage 4 is similarly mounted on bar 108. As shown in FIGURE 6, a sleeve 122 provided with suitable bearings 124 is mounted for reciprocation on bar 108. Brackets, not shown, are provided to positively connect the carriage to sleeve 122. Downwardly extending stop members 126 are provided on sleeve 122 to limit the horizontal movement of the carriage between adjusting screws 128. Likewise, as shown in FIGURE 3, adjusting screws 120 are provided to limit the movement of the opposite ends of the carriage. By proper adjustment of adjusting screws 120 and 128, the horizontal limits of movement of carriage 4 are fixed so that at the ends of its horizontal movement, one or other of shuttles 60 will have its tines 34 in alignment with openings 32 of chocks 26.

The specific means provided for reciprocating the carriage between the noted limit points is not important to the invention. As shown in FIGURE 6 however, in the preferred embodiment, these mean-s comprise a double acting hydraulic cylinder 140 which is connected to a weldment type bracket 142 through a pivot connection 144. The cylinders rightwardly extending piston rod 146 is connected through a pivot connection 148 with a pair of downwardly extending brackets 150 joined to the bottom wall 92 of carriage 4. Consequently, actuation of the cylinder 140 causes the carriage to be selectively reciprocated to either of its two limit positions on bars 106 and 108. Additionally, the manner in which cylinder 140 is mounted permits this reciprocating function to be performed with carriage 4 at various elevations.

Although, in certain instances, it might be possible to have the carriage and shuttles mounted at one fixed elevation, preferably, at least the shuttles are provided with means to permit them to be shifted vertically. This facilitates work roll removal since, after tines 34 have been reciprocated through the chocks of the work roll set, a shifting of the shuttle vertically lifts the set. Consequently, during the withdrawal operation there will be no contact between the chocks of the work roll set and their supporting structure.

This vertical shifting of the shuttles could be accomplished in a variety of ways, such as by arranging guideways 72 and 73 for vertical movement relative the carriage. However, it is preferred to shift both the carriage and shuttles by use of an adjustable support frame 6.

As best shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 6, support framework 6 includes two pairs of support stands 160 and 162. As shown in FIGURE 3, support stands 160 are substantially identical in construction and each include a cast of weldment type base frame 164. Bases 164 are each provided with a vertically extending cylindrical opening 166 having piston member 168 mounted for reciprocation therein. A bracket 170 is carried at the upper end of each of the members 168 and support horizontal bar 106. The means to selectively elevate members 168 comprise screw jacks 172 provided in each of support frames 164 and having their vertically extending screw shafts 174 drivingly connected with the bottoms of members 168. Consequently, selective rotation of the screw jack causes the member 168 to be moved vertically upwardly or downwardly to vary the elevation of bar 106 and, consequently, carriage 4 and shuttle assemblies 2.

Referring to FIGURE 6 it can be seen that support stands 162 are constructed in generally the same manner as previously described support stands 160. Each of support stands 1 62 includes a weldment or cast main frame 180 provided with a vertically extending cylindrical opening 182. Cylindrical members 184 are mounted for reciprocation in openings 182. Brackets 186 carried at the upper ends of members 184 are connected to bar 108. Screw jacks 188 are mounted in the bottom of each support stands 162 and have their screw shafts drivingly connected with the members 184-.

In order to assure that all jacks 172 and 188 are simultaneously driven to uniformly raise carriage 4, a drive system as shown in FIGURE 7 is provided. This system includes a reversible motor and gear reducer unit 200. The output shaft 202 of unit 200 is connected through conventional shafts and couplings with the input shafts 201 of right angle drives 204. The output shafts 206 of each of the right angle drives 204 are connected through couplings with the input shafts 208 of jacks 172. Conventional shafts are provided between input shafts 208 and input shafts 210 or jacks 188. As is readily apparent, energization of motor and gear reducer unit 200 causes simultane ous rotation of all jacks 172 and 188. In this manner, the carriage can be uniformly raised or lowered depending on the direction of rotation of unit 200.

As is apparent, a variety of automatic controls and interlocks could be provided to control the movement of the work roll changing assembly. For example, as shown in FIGURE 3, a limit switch 220 engaged by a bracket or arm 222 carried from member 168 can be provided to cause deenergization of the motor of unit 200' at the proper times. Additionally, interlocks can be provided to prevent movement of one shuttle when the other is in an extended position.

The invention has been described in great detail sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the rolling mill art to practice the same. Obviously modifications and alterations of the preferred embodiment will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the specifications and it is my intention to include all such modifications and alterations as part of my invention insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An apparatus for inserting and removing working roll sets from the drive side of a 4-high mill having a horizontal pass line for strip passing through said mill, vertically spaced spindles for driving said back-up rolls and on the drive side of said mill, and an access window on said drive side and generally between said spindles, said apparatus comprising: a carriage having a shuttle assembly carried thereon; means for supporting a working roll set on said shuttle assembly; a frame on said drive side for supporting said carriage; guide means on said frame to allow movement of said carriage in a direction parallel to said pass line between a first position with said shuttle assembly spaced horizontally of said window and spindles and a second position with said shuttle assembly generally alined with said window and between said spindles; means for selectively moving said shuttle assembly between said first and second positions; and means for moving said shuttle assembly transversely of said pass line and into and out of said window when said shuttle assembly is in said second position whereby a working roll set may be inserted or removed from between said back-up rolls.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for vertically adjusting said frame whereby the location of said shuttle assembly with respect to said pass line is adjusted.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said fram adjusting means comprises a plurality of jacks .and a single motor means for driving said jacks in unison.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including guideways in said carriage and elements on said shuttle assembly coacting with said ways to control the transverse movement of said shuttle assembly.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said shuttle assembly moving means comprises a fluid motor attached to said carriage.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said shuttle assembly moving means comprises a first rack on said assembly moves approximately twice as far as said pinion gear.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said working roll set supporting means is mounted in cantilever on the mill side of said shuttle assembly.

9. An assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said working roll set supporting means includes at least two projecting tines onto which said set can be placed.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 including latching means for holding said roll set onto said cantilever supporting means.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including guide channels in said carriage extending transversely to said pass line, and rollers mounted on said carriage on axes generally parallel to said pass line and riding in said channels.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a second shuttle assembly carried on said carriage and generally parallel to said first-mentioned shuttle assembly, said first-mentioned shuttle assembly being on a first side of said spindles and said second shuttle assembly being generally aligned with said window and between said spindles when said carriage is in said first position, and said second shuttle assembly being on the second horizontal side of said spindles when said carriage is in said second position.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame straddles the lower one of said drive spindles.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,323,345 6/1967 Lyle, et a1 72239 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

B. I. MUSTAIKIS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 72-249 

